New 10.8m BYD/ADL for Britain

BYD and Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) are extending their collaboration on 12m single deckers with the creation of a 10.8m version especially designed for the British bus market. This shorter model, designed to meet the requirements of many UK operators, both provincial and those serving London, will be able to carry up to 79 passengers, with 27 seated. With a kerb weight of 12.6tonnes, the range under typical operating conditions (to UITP SORT two test conditions, with driver’s air conditioning on) is 179 miles with a recharge time of 3.5hours. Other battery power outputs and performance parameters will be available. The first 10.8m model will be on show at the CENEX Low Carbon Vehicle event at Millbrook on 14 and 15 September. That model has been fully built by BYD but future vehicles will form part of the BYD partnership with ADL, which is bodying Chinese built chassis at its plant in Falkirk, Scotland. The resulting model is expected to be designated the BYD ADL Enviro200 EV 10.8m and will be available in the first half 2017.

MD of BYD Europe, Isbrand Ho, said, ‘This is a significant extension of our pure electric bus family which will have strong appeal to those many UK operators for whom a 12m bus is just too long. As with our first significant BYD ADL Enviro200EV order in the UK (51 12m buses for Go-Ahead Group for use in London) we look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues at ADL to create an optimum product tailored to British requirements.’

Chief Executive of ADL, Colin Robertson, said, ‘We are pleased to be furthering our partnership with BYD to develop this new product variant, which brings together the best of the best.’